dreidel

[ dreyd-l ]

noun

, plural drei·dels, drei·del.

1. a four-sided top bearing the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, he, and shin, one on each side, used chiefly in a children's game traditionally played on the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dreidel¹

1925–30; < Yiddish dreydl, equivalent to drey ( en ) to rotate, turn (< Middle High German dræ ( je ) n, dræhen; compare G. drehen ) + -dl noun suffix

Example Sentences

More than menorah lighting and dreidel spinning, Hanukkah is known for its culinary delicacy, latkes.

From The Daily Beast

My teacher bought a big dreidel for me, Cast of solid lead, the finest known.

From The Daily Beast